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New member Username: CashmoneyCalgary Post Number: 1 Registered: Oct-05 | I am brand new to the web site. I work for a Electronics retailer and am actually from Canada. I was doing some late night homework and came across this article.. take your time to read it it is just one journalists opinion but i think it gives some pretty awsome details for those who still can't make up their minds...... http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/shoppingpf.htm |
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Galileo Unregistered guest | Really good article, Thanks! |
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New member Username: CashmoneyCalgary Post Number: 2 Registered: Oct-05 | oh and ps. galileo the PX500 plasma panasonic is probably the nicest t.v. or at least plasma t.v. on the planet |
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Galileo Unregistered guest | Ryan, Thanks for the kind words, so far I'm happy with it, only 1 month old, as long as it does not break, I'll be a happy camper. |
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Silver Member Username: Xdrummer03Tenessee Post Number: 129 Registered: Jul-05 | Toshiba > Panasonic. Also it comes down to the screen size you want to go with. LCD's generally dont come higher than a 40",Sharp makes 45.Plasmas usually dont go below 42". |
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Unregistered guest | Ryan, Thank you for educating us. What's your take on the 32 inch LCD TV? Which one you think would be the best value for money and durable? |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 108 Registered: Jul-05 | Good article overall, and Peter has been writing on this stuff for awhile. I have two comments. First, he comments on a plasma brightness governing system. This is NOT present on all plasma models, including mine. However, it is present on the panasonic 42 HD models 7th and 8th generation and it is a huge problem. Why? You calibrate your TV for best picture and a bright signal comes by and wham--you get your black level changed right there in the middle of the movie. Not good. The other comment I have is on the LCD backlight Bulb comment. LCD rear projection sets have a single backlight bulb while LCD flatscreens actually have many flouresecent bulbs, which dont all last or wear the same way, leading to the LCD of burn in over time ( essentially uneven screen brightness.) It IS a good article however and I am just nitpicking. Thanks for the reference. |
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Unregistered guest | Marc, I have kind of decided on the LCD Tvs because I though they are more durable than the Plasmas. But after reading your comment on LCD and Plasmas, I have kind of confused now. I am dumb TV watcher and don't want to think so much about adjustments etc. Which one do you think is a more dependable technology and has best viewing experience, LCD or PLasma or DLP Thanks |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 124 Registered: Jul-05 | I have three questions for you before I answer your question- the reason is there isnt one best technology or brand for everyone- each technology has their pros and cons. 1. How much light will be in the room where you will watch TV/ DVDs etc? 2. How big a screen do you want? 3. How much is your budget? 4. What will you do with the display? ( xbox, DVDs, Cable, HD etc) 5. How far will you sit from the screen? OK its more than three. But if you have htis info and can give a better opinion for you, which, keep in mind, is ONLY MY OPINION. |
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tapmba Unregistered guest | Marc, Let me answer your questions here. 1. Place where I keep the TV will be well lit, theough may not b very bight. 2. I initially wanted a 32 in flat pannel TV as it will fit into the place provided in the appartment. I don't want a wall hanging TV as I don't own this appartment and the rules don't allow me to make modifications to the appartment. So I had zeroed on LCD TV. But I want to have a TV that will serve for many years. However if LCD is not dependable, I can go in for some other technology. In that case I would be able to buy a bigger TV with stand, depth of TV not more than 18 inch. 3. Budget is not a big constaint if I am getting the right value for money that I spend. However I had initially kept a budget of $1500 for LCD and $2000 for bigger TV of other technologies. 4. TV would be used only for DVD, Cable and the HD programs on cable. 5. I will sit around 8-10 feet from the screen. Since I am not very knowledgeable in this field, I am always ready to take others opinion on this. Thank you for your time. |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 148 Registered: Jul-05 | OK. Well here is what I think; 1. First off- I am not going to tell anyone that an LCD or Plasma is more dependable. Certain plasma brands are less dependable than other plasma brands. SAme with LCDs too. Good ones and mediocre ones for both. The inherent technologies are sound. 2. At 8-10 feet viewing distance, I am going to say that I feel that a 32 inch screen is too small for watching movies/DVDs. If you go with a 32 inch display you might wanna be sure 32 inches is big enough screen for you. It is not for me no way. 3. At 8-10 feet a 42 inch or 50 inch screen will work. This takes you into plasma territory by default. There is an available 45 inch LCD called the Sharp Aquos. other than that- we are talking plasmas. 4. If you had said you do a lot of gaming like with xbox etc, I might offer alternatives, but in an apartment with space constraints a 42 inch plasma is the correct choice here. Plasmas are good for DVDs/Cable/ HD programming. 5. I would recommend an ED plasma and not an HD plasma. Several reasons; DVDs at this time are 480P. An ed Plasma is a 480 display. So no upconversion. That is a good thing. HD programming will display very well on a 42 ED plasma. You dont give up much here. ED stands for extended definition. HD stands for high definition. In plasmas, the differentiation is related to Pixel count. SD cable does not always look to great on EITHER technology, particularly HD displays ( lots of pixels for a crappy signal). SD programming will look better on an ED plasma than an HD plasma. 6. A pioneer is a good choice for well lit rooms. However they are relatively expensive. Overall the best choice would be a Panasonic 42PWD8UY; a commercial monitor only display. It doe NOT include a stand, a tuner, or speakers. It does sell for 1500 dollars online authorized dealers full warranty and is a great display. Be sure to use a set up disc like the difficult menu ridden but valuable Digital Video essentials for any display you purchase. Youc ould also use AVIA set up disc as well. My favoite vendor is visualapex.com. Link to them through the Visual Apex box add at avsforum.com at the top to go right to the best pricing. I am sure you have other questions as you go- but this post is long enough. |
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tapmba Unregistered guest | Marc, Thank you for your inputs. Could you give your views on DLP too? |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 156 Registered: Jul-05 | DLPs have a larger foot print- they take up more space. PQ is weaker than most plasmas and LCDs. Rainbow effect is a problem for many viewers. They seem reliable overall. |
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Unregistered guest | I am also in a state of paralysis by analysis regarding Plasma vs LCD however I have learned a great deal from the questions and answers you have provided. Besides using the TV for DVD and TV, I would like to connect a PC to the TV for Power Point and GE Centricity PACS viewing at home (I am a physician and this provides a method of viewing digital images of x-ray, CAT Scans etc. through the Internet with DSL or Cable). Any advice? Thanks! |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 174 Registered: Jul-05 | I would recommend a different display for PC/ Medical Image viewing. meaning a physicially separate one. Apple actually has Cinema LCD displays, widescreen, that might do the trick for your Power Point and medical imaging needs. I believe the displays are compatible as far as plug type with Dell/Windows type computers. |
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New member Username: Tv_sucksPost Number: 2 Registered: Dec-05 | I heard from people in the video/tv biz that I should go with an lcd tv because plasmas have to be recharged every couple of years and that it is expensive. |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 179 Registered: Jul-05 | Geekster- I have Lakefront property in Arkansas I would like to sell you. |
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New member Username: KaiwooiPost Number: 1 Registered: Dec-05 | Hi Marc Your answer basically addressed my needs. More or less same condition, 8 to 10 feets watching distance. But I have one other use for my TV, I play Xbox and PS2 on it. I also have a progressive scan DVD Recorder and watches satellite TV on it. The TV will have the standard network operator logo, sports programs scoreboard - hence i'm worry about burn-in but after reading your article, it looks like the newer 2005 plasma model is better equiped to handle this. What's your recommendation? Should I go for a 40" LCD TV or the newer 42" Plasma. I have heard that LCD TV is not that adept to show non-HD content especially from my current DVD. In that case, will a separate HDTV scaler help? |
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Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 190 Registered: Jul-05 | Hmm. Lots of stuff to address in your post. For DVDs, upscaling is generally not useful and can worsen the picture quality, but this is a very general comment dependent on many factors. In fact, some well A-V educated folks use upscaleing DVD players and get a fine result on HD displays. Obviously, an upscaler is not useful for extended definition plasmas. Personally, I think DVDs look just fine on LCDs, so I don't agree that DVDs look bad on LCD flat screens; depends on the quality of the chipset in side your DVD player- the quality of the DVD player is fairly important. The network logo from Comcast for instance shouldnt cause burn in-- its too faint and if I remember isnt present during commercials. Sports program scoreboards shouldnt be fixed for long, unless you mean gaming. Gaming-- I personally wouldn't use a plasma for games-- BUT-- people do every day. This is discussed in detail at avsforum.com. I have only read the threads and have NO FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE with gaming on Plasmas. The folks that do say its OK but I am not really sure. AT 10 feet 40 inch is a bit small, with 42 barely being big enough to my eyes. Conclusion- if you arent going to use your plasma as a home theater environment, and more as a daily vciewing TV with a DVD recorder instead of a decent dedicated player, I'd probably go for the LCD and sit a little closer. |